Farmingdale F.D. Gets Equipment Grant

The Farmingdale Fire Department will receive a total of $200,450 in federal funding that will pay for 32 self-contained breathing devices and 64 air canisters. 

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Rep. Peter King, R-Seaford, announced the grant Thursday as part of an ongoing program administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grants are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critical equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources.

Farmingdale firefighters are grateful:

“The Farmingdale Fire Dept. is extremely appreciative of all the help Sen. Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand and Congressman King have provided our officers and members," said Farmingdale Village Fire Commissioner Skip Schumeyer. "This grant will afford us the opportunity to purchase 32 self contained breathing apparatuses and 64 air bottles and will allow us to replace all of our old packs and conform to the N.F.P.A.'s regulations.”

The breathing equipment is used by firefighters to search for victims and fight fires inside smoke-charged buildings.

Gillibrand appealed personally to FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate on behalf of the Farmingdale Fire Department. In her August 2012 letter, Gillibrand urged FEMA to fully fund the Farmingdale Fire Department’s request for funding to upgrade Self Contained Breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs in order to meet safety standards.

“This funding provides updated and more reliable equipment, giving Farmingdale’s firefighters one less thing to worry about when they’re out there saving lives,” said Schumer.

“This is an important investment for the Farmingdale Fire Department,” said Gillibrand. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that our first responders have the most up-to-date and appropriate equipment necessary to serve our communities."

“I understand how critical this funding is for our firefighters,” said King, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “These funds will ensure that the Farmingdale Fire Department has the necessary equipment to keep them safe and protect the Farmingdale community.”

Schumer was an original sponsor of the legislation that led to the creation of the program to help defray the rising costs of equipment and fire prevention. The program assists local fire departments through specialized emergency training for response to situations like terrorist attacks, enhancement of emergency medical service programs; health and safety initiatives, fire education and prevention programs and equipment and facility upgrades.

The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/